Serious Fire Risk Wednesday for Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND—Rhode Island is under a Red Flag Warning Wednesday as gusty winds and low humidity pose a serious risk of fires.

While winter-weary residents are enjoying the sunshine, firefighters across the state have been battling brush fires over the past week, fueled by dry and brittle vegetation and the slow start to spring's greening up this year.

The National Weather Service's Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. tonight for all of southern New England.

According to the weather service, the warning means that "any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish."

Wind gusts could reach up to 30 mph along the direct coast and around 20 mph otherwise. Relative humidity will drop to between 10 and 25 percent.

Authorities ask that people refrain from outdoor burning as a fire can rapidly spread and become difficult to control.